Genoa are reportedly ready to call time on Thiago Motta's spell in charge after just nine games following a damaging Derby della Lanterna defeat to rivals Sampdoria.
The former Barcelona, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder has struggled to provide the club with a lift since he came in to replace Aurelio Andreazzoli.
One league win from eight - his first game in charge - was the highlight but performances and results have dipped since and they are now second-bottom in the table after 16 matches.
Tuttosport report that the club are assessing whether to replace Motta with former Italy international Davide Ballardini.
The report goes on to add that the most feasible scenario if Motta is dismissed is that a former coach would make a return, due to the time constraints in finding a replacement quickly.
Massimo Ficcadenti, Diego Lopez and an outside shout for Andreazzoli would also be linked if Motta is sacked before their next match - a trip to the San Siro to face title chasers Inter Milan on Sunday.
Genoa are on a horrid run of seven games without a win in Serie A and desperately need to arrest their slide if they are too avoid relegation to the second tier.